Increased automation could see data scientists out of a job

Gartner predicts a rise in citizen data scientists as automation processes proliferate and intelligent machines start to transcend skills that have traditionally been restricted to the realm of professional data scientists.

As a result, the firm said vendors are increasingly extending reach in enterprises across all industries with a prerogative to simplify complex tasks such as data integration and model building.

Gartner defines the citizen data scientist as an individual that bridges the gap between mainstream self-service analytics by business users and the advanced analytics techniques of data scientists.

In a nutshell, the citizen data scientist is now able to aggregate sophisticated analysis that would have previously required more expertise.

"Most organisations don't have enough data scientists consistently available throughout the business, but they do have plenty of skilled information analysts that could become citizen data scientists," said Gartner research director, Joao Tapadinhas.

"Equipped with the proper tools, they can perform intricate diagnostic analysis and create models that leverage predictive or prescriptive analytics. This enables them to go beyond the analytics reach of regular business users into analytics processes with greater depth and breadth."

Similarly, Gartner research vice president, Alexander Linden believes the increase in automation will bridge the skills gap, empowering a larger audience of analysts.

"The key to simplicity is the automation of tasks that are repetitive, manual-intensive and don't require deep data science expertise,” he said.

For Tapadinhas, the result of automation will be increased access to more data sources, including more complex data types; a broader and more sophisticated range of analytics capabilities.

"Access to data science is currently uneven, due to lack of resources and complexity - not all organisations will be able leverage it," he added.

"For some organisations, citizen data science will therefore be a simpler and quicker solution their best path to advanced analytics."

According to the analyst firm, citizen data scientists will surpass data scientists in the amount of advanced analysis produced by 2019 as a vast amount of analysis produced will “feed and impact business”, delivering a more pervasive analytics-driven environment.

However, Gartner said this will allow some breathing room for data scientists who can shift their focus onto more complex analysis.

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ARN Exchange: Channel discusses security spending priorities

Customers spending priorities, drawing up a security strategy for customers and partners, detailing how partners can increase profit through security and outlining key areas of market growth ahead were some of the topics discussed at the ARN Exchange event in Sydney. Partners got together to talk about the spending priorities of customers within the security market today and the skills required from partners to deliver those services. The event was in association with Juniper Networks, Webroot, Cloud Plus and Mimecast. Photos by Christine Wong.

What are the spending priorities of customers within the security market today and what are the skills required from partners to deliver those services? An overview of the security market in Australia was debated in the ARN Exchange event in Melbourne with discussions covering the customers spending priorities, drawing up a security strategy for customers and partners, detailing how partners can increase profit through security and outlining key areas of market growth ahead. The event was in association with Juniper Networks, Webroot, Cloud Plus and Mimecast. Photos by Raymond Korn.

The channel came together for the forth running of the ARN Emerging Leaders Forum in Australia, created to provide a program that identifies, educates and showcases the upcoming talent of the ICT industry.
Hosted as a half day forum, attendees heard from industry specialists as keynoters and panellists discussed leadership paths and career choices. Hall of Fame members and industry mentors​ hosted small groups of future leaders to mentor and advise.
This also marked ARN's inaugural 30 Under 30 Tech Awards, which recognised young talent in the Australian IT industry across technical, sales, marketing, management, human resources and entrepreneur categories.
Photos by Christine Wong.

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